The "All Walking Wounded Team"

As pitchers and catchers report for duty, with position players not too far behind them, the warm and fuzzy stories are beginning to pour in from Lakeland.  It's enough to warm the hearts of cold Tiger fans, like a warm Florida breeze.  I figured that, since we can pretty much guarantee a warm n fuzzy story for each and every player on the roster that had health issues, slump issues, was over the hill, or just didn't produce last season,  I thought I'd put together an "All walking wounded team", just to help keep score in the two weeks left before the first Grapefruit league game.

1B- Jeff Larish.  After making the team in 2009 out of spring training on a team desperate for a lefty bat, Larish was sent down to Toledo where he missed much of the season on the DL.  His warm n fuzzy stories centered on his " versatility" and ability to fill in at third base, in the event that Brandon Inge pulled a repeat of his .205 performance in 2008.  Well, Inge did, but Larish was nowhere to be found. 

2B- Scott Sizemore.  Another fine season for Sizemore, and equally important, an expiring contract for the incumbent second baseman on the Tigers has given Sizemore a major league job without a single At Bat in the majors. Unfortunately, Scott busted a leg turning a DP in the Arizona Fall league.  He's reportedly had all the pins removed from his leg and is ready to go.

SS- Adam Everett.   Okay, he's not still injured, but his bat is so lame that fangraphs indicates he cost the team twice as many runs at the plate as he saved with his stellar defense in 2009.  Break a leg, Adam!

3B- Brandon Inge.   We're told that Inge's three consecutive months batting under .190 can be attributed to wobbly knees.   So what was that .205 average in 2008 attributed to?  If Inge can put together two good halves, it'll be a first.   The initial installment on Brandon's warm n fuzzy diary can be found in Lynn Henning's column.

LF-  Carlos Guillen-  Half a season on the DL says it all.  But of course he wants a starting job, and should never be pulled for a defensive replacement.   Carlos, meet Johnny, who has at least 600 plate appearances the last twelve consecutive years.   Johnny, this is Carlos.  

CF-  Casper Wells- an 86 gamer due to a broken hand, Wells had a breakthrough season a year earlier, but hit the DL in 2009.  Still, he's on the 40 man roster and is on the depth chart WHEN someone on this team hits the DL. 

RF- Ryan Strieby.  Well, they say he's an outfielder, and you would be too, if you were blocked by a perennial MVP candidate making a cool $ 20 million per season.   Strieby played in only 84 games, had his ticket to Arizona canceled, and will resume the conversion from 1B to outfield in 2010.

RHP-  Jeremy Bonderman:   Bondo went on the DL in June, 2008, and hasn't been a regular in the rotation since.  Just one start in 2009, the warm n fuzzies are pouring in from Lakeland this spring.   Forget that he's never put two solid half seasons together, or that he doesn't have a change up to throw as more than a "show me" pitch to lefties, management expects good things from one of the heroes of 2006. 

LHP- Nate Robertson:  This time last year, we were reading about how Nate's magic stretching exercises had Nate ready to have his best season ever.  Now, we'll have to settle for him being, once again, the leading man for the fifth and final spot in the rotation.  If so, it's got more to do with his southpaw status than anything else.  

LHP- Dontrelle Willis- two words: Performance Anxiety.  One bonus word:  Insurance!


RHRP:   Joel Zumaya was unable to go for the LCS vs Oakland in 2006, and he hasn't been the same since.   Whether it's a motorcross accident, boxes falling on him during the San Diego fires, or whether he squoze the bejaysus out of a fake guitar, Zoomer hasn't given Tiger fans anything to cheer about for the past three years.   Nonetheless, he's back in today's papers, telling us how fine he is.  

LHRP-   Bobby Seay showed signs that shoulder trouble was giving him trouble during the second half of the 2009 season, when he posted an ERA over 5.00.   Still, he signed a $ 2.5 million contract and is now probably the most likely to be traded- if he can show that he's healthy first. 


And there, Tiger fans, is your warm n fuzzy "All Walking Wounded Team" for 2010.  
Get well, boys!   You're needed.